management / line
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management
The person or group of people that leads an organization, department, or project and bears responsibility.
Die neue Leitung des Museums hat viele Veränderungen angekündigt.
The new management of the museum has announced many changes.
line / pipe
A physical pipe or cable used to transport water, gas, electricity, or data.
Wegen eines Schadens an der Leitung hatten wir gestern kein Internet.
Because of damage to the line, we had no internet yesterday.
under the direction of
Describes the act of leading or being responsible for an activity, project, or performance.
Das Orchester spielte unter der Leitung eines berühmten Dirigenten.
The orchestra played under the direction of a famous conductor.
conduction
In physics, the ability of a material to transport electric current or heat.
Kupfer hat eine sehr gute elektrische Leitung und wird deshalb für Kabel verwendet.
Copper has very good electrical conduction and is therefore used for cables.
'Leitung' is derived from the verb 'leiten' (to lead/conduct). The ending '-ung' makes it a feminine noun. The basic meaning 'to lead' or 'to lead from A to B' connects all meanings: you can lead people, water, or electricity.
Er leitet die Abteilung seit fünf Jahren.
He has headed the department for five years.
You can easily recognize the meaning from context. If it is about people, a company, or a project, it means leadership or management. If it is about water, electricity, gas, or data, it means the physical pipe or cable.
Die Leitung hat eine neue Strategie beschlossen.
Management has decided on a new strategy.
When referring to a leadership position, the phrases 'die Leitung übernehmen' (to take over the leadership/management) or 'die Leitung haben' (to be in charge) are often used.
Wer hat hier die technische Leitung?
Who is in charge of the technical management here?
The idiom 'eine lange Leitung haben' (to be slow on the uptake) or 'auf der Leitung stehen' (to be confused/not get it) means that someone understands something only slowly. It figuratively refers to a poor telephone connection from the past.
Entschuldigung, ich stand gerade auf der Leitung. Kannst du das wiederholen?
Sorry, I just wasn't getting it. Can you repeat that?
The phrase 'unter der Leitung von' (under the direction of) is a fixed expression. 'Von' is always followed by a person or institution in the dative.
Das Projekt steht unter der Leitung von Frau Dr. Meier.
The project is under the direction of Dr. Meier.
line
When making a phone call, die Linie refers to the existing connection used for the conversation. Die Leitung, by contrast, generally refers to the cable or physical route that carries telephone or other data. Linie is used when a line is busy or free, while Leitung is used when a cable is damaged.
Die Leitung ist beschädigt, deshalb kann ich gerade nicht telefonieren.
The line is damaged, so I can't make a phone call right now.
Die Linie ist besetzt, deshalb rufe ich später noch einmal an.
The line is busy, so I'll call again later.
